Uconn

Connecticut's Amida Brimah (35), looks to make a shot past the reach of Central Florida's Eugene McCrory (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Gretchen Ertl)

Amida Brimah woke up Saturday morning and had his typical, simple breakfast. A bagel. Later in the day, he did not have his typical, simple game.

The 7-foot freshman center for UConn gave the 9,561 gathered at Gampel Pavilion a glimpse into what could be, turning in a huge game that powered the Huskies to an easy victory, 84-61, against Central Florida on Saturday night. Nobody expected the 20 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots in 20 minutes.

Anybody who predicted such a thing might be fitted for an awfully tight, white jacket.

"I'd be lying if I told you 20 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in 20 minutes," UConn coach Kevin Ollie said. "That kid, he gives so much to his teammates. I think it's only right the basketball gods pay him back. It's contagious, what he does for his teammates. It was just the basketball gods giving him a treat."

The treat was all UConn's, and far sweeter than a bagel.

The consequence of Brimah, who could not have been more than an addendum on the Knights' scouting report, was glaring. UConn pounded the Knights on the backboards, 50-34, quite a feat given UCF entered the game as the American Athletic Conference's top rebounding team. The Huskies (13-3, 1-2 AAC) scored 40 points in the paint, the interior game much more a factor than the play of guards Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright.

Not to say the Napier didn't recognize the big guy's dominance, or the strong play of backup center Phil Nolan. Napier finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists, consistently moving the ball inside. Nolan, fresh off a battle with the flu, scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds in 15 minutes.

It was arguably the most complete game the Huskies have played this season, and it all emanated from Brimah, of all people.

"I was just getting comfortable because I've been putting in extra work," Brimah said. "I just got comfortable. I was just ready. Everybody

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was running the plays hard so (UCF) had to help and when they help, I get wide open."

The Huskies were plus-37 with Brimah on the floor. Given that he played just half of the game, that number borders on insane. It helped UConn put the Knights (9-5, 1-2) away with a second-half blitz powered partially by Brimah's game-changing presence inside defensively and the overall defense of the Huskies.

For the second straight game, UConn held a team to its worst scoring output and lowest field-goal percentage of the season. The Huskies reaped the benefits of the complete game over and over again in getting their first victory in the new conference.

"I think this is the best I've seen them play in the last four games," UCF coach Donnie Jones said. "They're very deep. If they play with that kind of intensity and rebound the ball and share the ball and make the extra pass, they're going to be a tough team to beat."

Brimah was the centerpiece, but everybody was involved. Of those who played more than a minute, only Tyler Olander and Omar Calhoun failed to score. Daniels had 13 points, Boatright 11, Niels Giffey seven and Lasan Kromah five. The Huskies had 19 assists and 29 baskets and only nine turnovers.

That is exactly what UConn needs to do to win. It didn't rely on the guard tandem. Instead, it found the passion and energy that had been missing and ran with it.

"Everybody was unselfish, and everybody played hard and played smart," Ollie said. "It just makes life so much easier for a coach. I don't have to sit there and draw up any plays."

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